Newsletter - Learning Matters - No.12
Using Memory Aids
Whatever your job function, there will be times at work and in life when you will benefit from Memory Aids, i.e. tools and tricks to help you remember specific things more easily.
Learning Curve training programmes often use Memory Aids to help make training messages stick in people's long-term memory.
Mneumonics - the art of assisting the memory by using a system of artificial aids - rhymes, rules, phrases, diagrams, acronyms and other devices - all help in the recall of names, dates, facts and figures.
The word comes from the Greek mneme (memory) and mnemon (mindful). Mneumonics were first invented by the Greeks for memory training 2500 years ago.
Many modern examples of mneumonics are in everyday popular use: e.g.
Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain
this helps us remember the colours of the rainbow:
White, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet
Here are some useful business-related mneumonics that you may find valuable in the workplace.
| Planning | |
| P-P-P-P-P | Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance |
| Making Presentations / running meetings | |
| A-B-C B-B-B S-S-S |
Accurate - Brief - Concise Big, Bold, Brilliant (refers to using visuals) Stop (walking), Smile (at the audience), Start (talking) |
| Giving Concise Information | |
| K-I-S-S | Keep It Simple, Stupid! |
| Making Training Messages Stick | |
| P-R-A-C-T-I-C-E | Pictures, Repetition, Anecdotes, Context, Timing, Imagery, Chunking, Encoding |
| Structuring an inbound call | |
| G-A-T-E L-A-D-A |
Greet, Ask, Tell, End Listen, Ask, Discuss, Answer |
| Selling | |
| A-B-C A-I-D-A |
Always Be Closing Attention, Interest, Desire, Action |
| Structuring a meeting | |
| T-R-A-Q-S-S | Thank them, Reason (for being there), Agenda, Questions, Solutions, Summary |